An old saying goes that the sky is the limit if you have a roof over your head. And if you are currently in the process of buying a house, the roof is going to be one of the most important things that you will need to pay attention to. Replacing or fixing a roof will cost you a lot, and a neglected roof usually means that a particular house has many other issues. So, in the following article, we will show you the six signs of an aging roof that you need to watch out for when buying a house, so you don’t make a costly mistake when purchasing a property.
Make sure that you bring professionals with you for a first inspection
Before we get into the subject, it is essential to know that not all signs of an aging roof will be noticeable, especially to an untrained eye. You should hire a professional constructor that will go with you when inspecting a house. Experienced constructors have the knowledge and necessary tools to make the proper estimate. They can tell you right on the spot whether the roof is replaceable, are there any other damages to the house, and how much the whole thing will cost you. Now, let’s take a look at the signs that you need to watch out for.
The presence of damaged or missing shingles means that the roof is leaking
When approaching a house, there will be a few things that you will be able to tell right on the spot. And one of the most noticeable red flags that your roof needs fixing is curled, missing or damaged shingles. If you notice that some of the shingles are missing or damaged, that is a clear sign that your roof needs to be fixed. Bear in mind that you will not be able to observe the whole roof from the ground, which is why you must bring in professionals who will be able to climb on the roof for a closer inspection or use a drone for that purpose.
Now, how the whole process of fixing the missing shingles will unfold and how much it will cost you depends on the extent of the damage and the type of roof that particular home has. But the roof replacement on the house usually costs somewhere between $5,500 and $11,000. It depends on the size of the house, the type of shingles you are installing, and the complexity of the roof itself.
The discoloration is one of the clear signs of an aging roof
While you are standing outside, there is another sign of an aging roof that you will be able to notice – dark spots. If you see that some areas of the roof are darker than others, in most cases, that is a sign that you need to prepare for a roof replacement. These dark spots can be anything from moss and algae to rust, depending on the type of roofing that is installed on the house. If the property you are inspecting has a metal covering, you need to be particularly careful as those dark spots signify rust. Rust eats away metal, so the roof might be in danger of collapsing even though it looks sturdy.
Moss growing on the roof should be a reason for concern
If you notice moss growing on the roof, that will be another sign that the roof might have issues that need to be addressed. The moss traps moisture that helps the roof deteriorate much faster than usual. Now, moss usually starts growing around the corners or where the roof meets the walls, so it might not be noticeable from where you are standing. Thus, if buying a home, you ought to be extremely careful about all the things that could escape an untrained eye. So hopefully, you brought a professional constructor with you that will be able to do a closer inspection and tell you more about the crucial things to focus on. Like whether some moss is endangering your potential house’s covering, the extent of damage, and how much the repair will cost you.
Water stains on the ceiling only mean one thing – the roof is leaking
When you enter the house, head over to the attic as you will be able to see whether the roof is leaking and, if it is, the extent of the damage. If you see daylight creeping in through the boards, water stains, sagging areas, or mold, that roof is damaged and needs to be fixed. If you notice any of these signs, check the state of the wooden construction. Rotten boards are a clear sign of an aging roof suffering from water damage for an extended period of time. If the house doesn’t have an attic, most of those signs will be noticeable on the ceiling. Again, damaged shingles are one of the most probable reasons your roof is leaking. However, another principal reason why a roof is leaking is damaged flashing.
If the flashing is damaged, the roof will start leaking sooner or later
If you noticed water damage from the inside, but the roof looks fine from the outside, damaged flashing is probably the reason the roof is not 100% waterproof. Damaged flashing, however, is not so easily noticeable. So you will need to have someone who can climb on the roof to do a closer inspection. Look for the areas where the roof meets the walls, a chimney, or around vents.
Loos of granulation on the shingles could be a big problem
While your constructors are on the roof, have them do a closer inspection of the shingles. Because even though they might look fine from the ground, they might be starting to lose granulation – a coat that is making the asphalt shingles waterproof. Discoloration on the roof can also mean that the shingles are losing granulation, making them water and weatherproof. If the loss of granulation is not that severe, there are a few ways to handle that quickly and cheaply. However, in worst-case scenarios, the whole roof might need replacement, which requires time and money.
It would also require you to move to a new place while the repairs are being carried out. With a move come moving delays and plenty of unpleasant problems. So if you want to avoid some unexpected setbacks when moving to a new home, like replacing the whole roof, for example, make sure that your constructor does a thorough inspection and gets back to you with a price and time estimate for the repair as soon as possible. After all, a roof replacement may take a lot of time.
The roof is the most important part of the house – make sure that you do a detailed inspection
Those would be the six most obvious signs of an aging roof that you will need to pay attention to when buying a house. Remember, the most severe problems will be noticeable right away, and that is when you need to be extra careful as the roof might be beyond repair. However, more minor issues will not be so easily discoverable, and you will need professional help for a detailed inspection.
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